Merck Animal Health to Acquire US Rights to SENTINEL Brand of Combination Parasiticides
Merck Animal Health and Virbac announced that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Merck Animal Health would acquire the US rights to SENTINEL FLAVOR TABS and SENTINEL SPECTRUM Chews in the Companion Animal category. Merck Animal Health will make a cash payment of amount $400 million to acquire the SENTINEL branded products in the United States at closing of the acquisition.
The BRAVECTO product line, which are Merck’s extended duration flea and tick protection products and the SENTINEL branded products, which control all common intestinal parasites, provide an attractive opportunity for broad-spectrum, year-round comprehensive internal and external parasite protection for dogs, according to a joint press release. These complementary products will cover the seven common, harmful parasites that affect dogs inside and out by preventing ticks and multiple stages of the flea lifecycle, including eggs and adult fleas, as well as treating and controlling all common intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms and preventing heartworm disease.
“Veterinary medicines, including parasiticides and vaccines have transformed the health of animals during the past decade,” said Rick DeLuca, President of Merck Animal Health. “This product acquisition reinforces Merck Animal Health’s commitment to our customers and our position in the United States Companion Animal category. We plan to use the extensive breadth and depth of our product portfolio, which includes BRAVECTO, a range of Companion Animal vaccines and the Sure Petcare portfolio of digital products, along with the SENTINEL branded products, to enhance our offerings of comprehensive pet care solutions. These products will provide a full range of complementary solutions for our customers to improve the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them.”
Scott Bormann, SVP, North America Commercial Operations, Merck Animal Health, said, “Our unconditional commitment to the veterinary community is steadfast as we offer a broad range of products and services to our customers. With this product acquisition, we expect to provide veterinarians with the most comprehensive and continuous parasite protection for dogs in easy to administer, palatable formulations. These products will target different parts of the flea lifecycle and will offer broad-spectrum, internal parasite protection in the SENTINEL brand and the extended duration flea and tick protection of BRAVECTO.”
François Fournier, President and CEO of Virbac United States, said, “These brands are well-known and trusted parasiticide products that should continue to provide value to both veterinary clinics and pet owners in the United States for years to come. We believe that Merck Animal Health is the right company, ideally positioned to keep developing these products in a sustainable manner.”
The closing of the transaction is subject to antitrust clearance and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close by mid-year 2020.